]]>All About Garage Door Springshttps://garagedoorepair.ca/garage-door-springs/
Wed, 22 Mar 2017 04:05:39 +0000https://garagedoorepair.ca/?p=886In 1921, the upward-lifting garage door was invented by C.G Jhonson; he was also the man behind the invention of the electric garage door opener in 1926. A garage door consists of more than one panel hinged together which a system of tracks which the help of roller. Torsion spring system or garage door springs […]

]]>In 1921, the upward-lifting garage door was invented by C.G Jhonson; he was also the man behind the invention of the electric garage door opener in 1926. A garage door consists of more than one panel hinged together which a system of tracks which the help of roller. Torsion spring system or garage door springs play a vital role in balancing the weight of the door.

Mechanism of a garage door spring:

A garage door spring or torsion spring system which counterbalance the weight usually consist of one or maximum two very tightly wound up springs on an iron shaft with cable drums at both of its ends.

The entire system placed on the garage wall above the garage door and has no less than three supports. A center bearing plate with an iron or nylon bearings and two end bearing plates one at the each end. The garage door springs are consists of the steel wire with a non-moving cone at one of its end and a cone which can wind at the other end.

The non-movable cone is attached to the central bearing plate. The cone which can wind is consists of the hole at a distance of every 90 degrees for the winding of the springs and two sets of screws to make sure the springs to the shaft. The counter balance cable which is made up of steel run from the roller brackets which is placed at the bottom of the corners of the door to a notch which is at the cable drums. The springs unwind when someone raises the door. When the door comes down, the cable unwinds from the drums, and the springs rebound to regain its previous position of full tension.

The counter balance cable which is made up of steel run from the roller brackets which is placed at the bottom of the corners of the door to a notch which is at the cable drums. The springs unwind when someone raises the door. When the door comes down, the cable unwinds from the drums, and the springs rebound to regain its previous position of full tension.

The life span of a torsion spring:

The springs fitted by the door manufacturers, door dealers produce and sell torsion spring which comes equipped with garage doors support a minimum of 10,000 to 15000 cycles. One cycle means a complete round of opening and closing of the garage door. With a lifespan of 10,000 to 15,000 cycles, the springs allow the garage owner to close or open his or her garage from 3 to 7 years. If the owner puts some extra weight on the door by painting several times of fitting glass, then that could reduce the life span of a torsion spring.

Maintenance of a torsion spring:

It is the responsibility of the owner of the garage to check the door of the garage monthly. If someone faces any obstacle at the time of raising or lowering the garage door or the door doesn’t remain stationary at the highest point, then he or she should conclude that the balance of the door has been disturbed and should be checked. Then he should ask an expert mechanic to rebalance the springs of the door or replace it if needed. Along with that, one should never forget to lubricate the garage door springs regularly for the frictionless movement.

Garage Door Torsion Springs

Garage door torsion springs as the name suggests finds utility in the overhead garage doors. In a garage door, the torsion springs play the role to balance the weight of the garage door. The first time C. G Johnson made an upward-lifting garage door in 1921 and again went ahead to invent electric garage door openers in 1926. There are several kinds of garage doors now available in the market.

The Single panel garage door

Single panel garage doors, which is constructed from a single monolithic panel. Single panel garage door has a disadvantage. When the door is opened, the panels of the door swing upward in an arc and get deposited at the top of the door and bulges outside of the door.
That means the vehicle has to stop in front of the door at a distance. Otherwise, there is a chance of getting damaged by the arc formed by an upward going door. In the case of sectional doors, there are six to eight numbers of panels instead of one in the single-panel door.

Sectional garage doors

Sectional garage doors have some advantages over the single panel garage door. It has more strength in comparison to single panel doors, and a vehicle can park close to the door at the time of entering into the garage as there is no danger of being get damaged by the garage door.

Roller doors are usually made up of corrugated steel, though other materials can be used for its manufacturing. These kinds of doors especially find a place for the commercial use, but there is also a disadvantage here, these types of doors can not be insulated entirely.

Torsion springs are present in every type of garage doors

No matter what kind of door one is using for his or her garage but there are garage door torsion springs are found in every type of garage doors. And it is the torsion spring which is responsible for the upward and downward movement of the garage door. And door torsion spring is the only part which requires constant maintenance. Usually, the torsion springs come with the garage doors have a standard lifespan of 10,000 to 15,000 cycles, where a cycle means closing and opening of the door once.

So, with a lifespan of 10,000 to 15,000 cycles, torsion springs can help the garage door to function smoothly for almost 3-7 years. After that these may need replacement.

Garage Door Will Not Open easily

If someone isn’t able to open his or her garage door easily as he or she should or the door doesn’t stay stationary at its upper position then he or she should go to an expert mechanic and ask him to check the garage door springs. If those are in good condition, then he would rebalance those or he will ask to replace those. Then the owner should act according to the mechanic for the shake of his or her garage door and the shake of his or her vehicle. If one able to keep the torsion springs of his or her garage door well, then his or her garage door will remain well.

Garage Door Extension Springs

Every people have a vehicle need a garage to keep his or her vehicle, after all, who doesn’t want the safety of his loved vehicle? If one needs a garage to keep his or her vehicle, then the garage itself needs a door to keep itself closed. But before 1921, when C.G. Johnson invented the garage door, there was no special mechanism for keeping the garage closed; in 1926 the same inventor went further to invent electric garage door, so the owner has to make no physical effort to open or close the door of his or her garage. Garage door extension springs is a much-needed component of the garage door invented by C. G. Johnson, which balances the weight of a upward-lifting garage door invented by the genius when the door is in an open position.

Types of Garage Doors

Now there are several kinds of garage doors available in the market which differs from one to other by their design. A single panel garage door is made up of a single panel which goes up at the time of opening of the garage door. But there is a serious lacuna present in these kinds of garage doors. At the time of opening of the door the panel is deposited at the upper part of the door and bulges outside, so if the vehicle which is waiting to go inside the garage can be damaged by the door it that is standing close to the door.

Another kind of garage door which is available in the market is a sectional garage door which usually consists of 6-8 panels unlike to single panel doors where only a single panel is used. More panels ensure more robustness of the sectional panel garage doors. The other kind of garage doors available in the market is roller doors which are made up of corrugated steel which means

Another kind of garage door which is available in the market is a sectional garage door which usually consists of 6-8 panels unlike to single panel doors where only a single panel is used. More panels ensure more robustness of the sectional panel garage doors. The other kind of garage doors available in the market is roller doors which are made up of corrugated steel which means their doors are shock proof. But there is a problem in these kinds of doors as these can not be perfectly insulated. But no matter which is your garage door, garage door extension springs from the most vital part of it.

Another kind of garage door which is available in the market is a sectional garage door which usually consists of 6-8 panels unlike to single panel doors where only a single panel is used. More panels ensure more robustness of the sectional panel garage doors. The other kind of garage doors available in the market is roller doors which are made up of corrugated steel which means their doors are shock proof. But there is a problem in these kinds of doors as these can not be perfectly insulated. But no matter which is your garage door, garage door extension springs from the most vital part of it.

Garage door springs are responsibilities

Garage door springs are responsible for the upward and downward motion of the garage door, and the extension springs also hold the weight of the door at the time when the door is in open position.

So, if anyone gets difficulties when opening or closing of his or her garage door then he or she should take immediate action to call an expert Garage Door mechanic to check the health of the extension springs of his or her garage doors. If the mechanic finds the torsion spring is in good shape, then he will rebalance those or asks the owner to replace them. And the owner should follow the words of mechanic to keep the door of his or her garage healthy. But the owner has to do another bit of thing by lubricating the springs of his or her garage doors regularly to ensure perfect movement of the door and to enhance the lifespan of the springs.

Garage Door Springs Installation

Every person needs a home to get a rescue from sun, rain and cold as a prime need. Same holds true in the case of a vehicle. A vehicle also needs an abode to protect itself from sun, rain, and cold. But before 1921, there was no mechanism to build a door for the abode of the vehicle, which is called as a garage.

But in that same year of 1921, a research fellow named C. J. Thompson managed to build a door for the garage after that every garage of all over the world got the way to be closed. The garage door consists of many parts like steel panel, torsion springs, and steel cone. But the torsion springs are the main component of a garage door, which is responsible for the upward and downward movement of the door; so needs to be replaced after a certain period. This article is making an attempt to guide you how one can do garage door springs installation.

To install the garage door springs, one has to first of all lock the garage door at the down position. He or she can do it by locking or locking pillars just above the lower roller in the track. The aim is to prevent the garage door from rising.
Thereafter he should disconnect the garage door opener from the door of the garage with the help of a safety rope, one could completely unplug it.

One should take some safety measures before doing this as the torsion springs are extremely tensed when the garage door is in down position.

One should wear safety glasses and should make sure that the ladder is stable.
After taking the safety measures, one should go ahead doing garage door springs installation, by placing the ladder under the winding cone of the unbroken spring.

The cones which can wind are pointing away from the center of the door. Stationary cones are usually mounted to a bracket with two bolts.

After doing the above one should place the winding bar in the winding cone hole.
After that, one should slowly unscrew the two sets of screws of winding cone. Then with both winding bars, one should slowly unwind the torsion spring with intervals.

If one found the torsion tube badly dinged up, then he or she should consider replacing the tube also.
Then remove the two bolts which run through the torsion springs near the center of the door. Ensure that all sets of screws are loose on your springs; one should move the ladder to the red cable drum. After doing this, one should go on to red cable screws and black cable screws.

After removing the old torsion springs from the door, one should install the new one in the similar process as he or she uninstalls the old one.
Hoping that this article which is to guide one to garage door springs installation will help you as well.

Choosing a garage door is like science – there are several things to study and think about: type – swing-up, side hung door, or roll-up;size – standard or customized, single, double, or triple; color – neutral or coordinated with house design scheme; style – flush or with windows or glass inserts;Material – wood, aluminum, steel, or fiberglass?

Making a list and evaluating the options are, by themselves, a challenge, apart from the practical considerations, such as installation, security, and maintenance.
While the size of your garage is the ultimate factor to consider in choosing your garage door size, other considerations, such as vehicle type and size, your lifestyle, and your home’s architectural design are equally important. There are different garage door sizes for various types and sizes of vehicles. Standard garage door sizes of 8’x7’ (width x height), 9’x7’, or 10’x7’can house a single car. Sizes of 8’x8’, 9’x8’ and 10’x8’ are also available to choose from, to accommodate taller vehicles, such as SUVs and vans.

For housing two cars, standard garage door sizes available are 12’x7’, 14’x7’, 16’x7’, and 18’x7’, as well as 12’x8’, 14’x8’, 16’x8’ and 18’x8’. Most manufacturers offer the same standard garage door sizes. However only a few have their ideas for particular models.

Garage Door Sizes Canadian garage door Vancouver

Garage Door Size considerations

Another key factor in garage door size selection is your lifestyle. Are you keeping one or two cars? If you have one car but plan to have two soon, then a double car standard garage door should be your choice.

If you have a sedan and a second vehicle, such as a van, pick-up truck, or SUV, the size of your larger vehicle would be the primary consideration for choosing garage height. Size selection would also depend on your other planned uses for your garage. If you plan to use your garage as a workshop or laundry area additionally, then, definitely, a larger garage door size would be a must.

Another consideration is your local building code. For example, hurricane wind load zones, such as particular areas in Florida and Texas, may not allow 18 ft. Full garage doors. It is best to consult with your local manufacturer to guide your decision-making in this regard.

Last, but not the least, consideration in choosing your garage door size is overall look. Remember, your garage door is more than 40% of your home’s exterior, and is among other things that people see first in your house. If you have a narrow frontage, a double car garage door could take up most of your home’s front view.

In this case, you can compensate the “look” with stylish and modern designs that create an illusion of width. Whatever your choice is, make sure that it complements your home’s architectural design and landscaping.

Finally, ask yourself these questions in making a final size selection:

What is my current need?

What is my immediate plan?

Does my choice fit with or complement my home design?

How much do I want to spend?

The above questions also apply in evaluating options on garage door type, material, style, etc., and considering possible constraints, such as space or budget.

If space is a constraint, the roll-up would be a better choice than the side hung the door. If budget is a constraint, then, undoubtedly, you cannot go for wood Garage doors or steel, which is more expensive than fiberglass or aluminum, nor can you go for brand names or commissioned designs, which would cost much more. Wood, though attractive and allows for more innovative designs, requires insulation and high maintenance, adding to the initial material cost. Security, however, is one of the things that you need to spend on. There is a wide variety of choices that could match your budget.

Selections vary from the highly secure voice recognition or pattern identifier systems to the older, but less secure, thumb scanning system.

Reading various garage door reviews should assist you in your garage door selection. These reviews offer advice and tips in choosing the right garage door for you, based on the first-hand experience.

Look for reviews that provide objective views on pros and cons of various selections of garage door types, sizes, materials, colors, styles, accessories, and prices, as well as those that touch on issues such as garage door security, installation, maintenance, and problems. Beware, though, of reviews written by advertisers, as these would, of course, be biased towards their products.

]]>Garage Door Securityhttps://garagedoorepair.ca/garage-door-security/
Sun, 15 Jan 2017 23:48:10 +0000https://garagedoorepair.ca/?p=543Garage Door Security Discussed As most homes around the nation are built to cater to families that own cars, having the best garage door security (GDS) possible installed at home is essential. For one thing, the garage itself can be the most enticing place for burglars to break into and raid given the fact that […]

As most homes around the nation are built to cater to families that own cars, having the best garage door security (GDS) possible installed at home is essential.

For one thing, the garage itself can be the most enticing place for burglars to break into and raid given the fact that many families store a lot of stuff in the garage other than just their vehicles. Other than the cars, the garage can be used to store items like bicycles, lawn mowers, gardening tools, computers and several home improvement projects and tools to name a few. In many cases, the garage is often where one can find the entrance to the home’s attic where some various items are placed like old books, clothes, paintings and more.

Just how can the homeowner secure the garage?

To put things in perspective, the garage always has its door (the garage door) which can be closed or opened with the use of a machine called the garage door opener. The openers are controlled via switches that are placed by the way (normally placed near the door leading into the home for convenience) as well as via remote controls installed in the vehicle.

Those are the basics for having a functional garage door. When it comes to garage door security, one can visit a local security specialist or search online for whatever products, techniques and services can be availed.

For one thing, having door opener security is a good way to start. This means getting technology that ensures the changing of security codes each time the garage door gets opened, and in fact, this very technology patches the security loophole that often comes with remote controls. In the past, it was easy for burglars to steal security codes of the homeowner via cellular phones and be able to use them to open garage doors using different remote controls. Current technology available solves this problem thanks to the use of billions of possible codes that the homeowner can use conveniently and safely whenever he or she opens the garage door.

Another way of securing the garage door is by using a keypad security that happens to be installed with many garage doors offered in the market. All the user has to do is input a numerical code, and he/she must take the responsibility of changing the code from time to time in convenient fashion.

If the garage door is not stable

If the garage door is not stable enough, one can use a variety of materials to enhance it. It is possible to use a metal rolling overhead door to replace the wooden material. Lastly, the old-fashioned locks are still very useful as they add a lot of strength for garage door security.

Garage Door Security Service

If the homeowner finds the tasks hard to do on his/her own and needs special service for security of the garage door, he/she can call a local garage door repair experts and invite the expert to examine the garage door for possible on-site work. The good news is that many security service providers nowadays offer packages that come not only with labor but also with a set of garage door accessories such as exclusive garage door locks, deadbolts, alarms, base defender and more.

There is no doubt that securing the garage is a must, even in the safest and most quiet neighborhoods. To understand the essence of garage door security fully, one can start by reading the garage door reviews (to gain insight on the value of the current garage door at hand) and home improvement articles followed by consultations with the local security service provider or home improvement experts.

]]>Garage Door Problemshttps://garagedoorepair.ca/garage-door-problems/
Sun, 15 Jan 2017 22:39:06 +0000https://garagedoorepair.ca/?p=536Common Garage Door Problems It is obviously a most annoying problem especially if it comes at a most inopportune time, like when you‘re in a real hurry to leave the house, and then suddenly it strikes you that your garage door is not working (again?). Or that you find yourself unexpectedly locked out of your […]

It is obviously a most annoying problem especially if it comes at a most inopportune time, like when you‘re in a real hurry to leave the house, and then suddenly it strikes you that your garage door is not working (again?). Or that you find yourself unexpectedly locked out of your garage.
After a period and constant use, garage doors are bound to manifests defects.

Here are some of the more common garage door problems and some do it yourself solutions:

Garage Door Won’t Open or Close – If your garage door is automatic and it won’t open then check your garage door keypad, and most likely it is not working, and there is something wrong with the programming. There could also be problems with wiring inside the keypad; if this is the case, then you have to contact a handyman or manufacturer. Or it can be as simple as just replacing the battery on the remote control.

Garage Door Gets Stuck when Opening or Closing – Check metal rollers of your garage door they might need some lubrication, or there may be some dirt clogged on the tracks of the garage door. Even the smallest obstruction like encrusted dirt could render the garage door stuck or limit its movements. You could try taking a rag and wipe down the tracks.

Garage Door Slams

Garage Door Slams on Floor when Closing – check garage doors extension spring if they are still pulled tight if not and they look all worn out chances are they need replacement.

If you have experienced these garage door problems, try to do maintenance work on your garage door. Clean your garage door tracks frequently and if possible with the use of microfiber cloth to avoid leaving stray fabric from the cloth behind. It is important to clean tracks garage door, as they are the usual cause of garage doors jamming or jumping.
It is important not to leave garage door partially open because the tendency is if you activate it again it may surprisingly travel downward and accidentally hit anything in its path.

Garage Door Problems

Another thing to do to minimize garage door problems: you should lubricate them again after some time. You can use either a light machine oil or graphite. To help in the even distribution of the lubricant on your tracks open and close garage door several times. Next, you need to check on the garage door hinges and inspect them for rust or dirt. Wipe the hinges as you did your tracks and lubricated them too.

What you can also consider part of your garage door problems is the garage doors security. To help ensure the safety of your garage doors try to make sure that the control button of the garage is not within children’s reach. Never, leave them in the car too as bad characters may chance upon them and gain entry to your house Test the garage doors reversing mechanism monthly to make sure that it is still in good working condition.

One other thing we may include in our garage door problems is if your garage door opener wakes people up due to the noise it makes or disturbs the household. If this is the case, then you may have to learn how to install a garage door opener or seek the help of a professional.

Don’t you think you should also name it as part of your garage door problems if your garage door does not open when the power goes out; apparently because the garage door opener is not working too? If this is the case, then check garage door accessories and check what they call an emergency release kit.

So in order not to let garage door problems bother you frequently then learn how to troubleshoot your garage door. There may be times that the problem is not exactly mechanical but simple interference like a garden tool leaning against garage door perhaps? Next, check if any bolts are loose and tighten them down. Look for any rusty part like cables or springs and replace them immediately. Four pulleys are operating on a garage door frame check on them too.

Garage Door Replacement

Finally, if you are just putting up a garage door or thinking of replacing your garage door it may be wise to check on the most reliable garage door brand, there is in the market. It may help lessen or at least prolong the time before you have to deal with garage door problems. Check garage door reviews online and carefully base your decision on what should be most dependable.

On a final note, make it a point to inspect your garage door opener at least once a year to make sure that it is running properly and that everything is in order. As a rule of thumb, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

]]>Garage Door Opener Troubleshootinghttps://garagedoorepair.ca/garage-door-troubleshooting/
Fri, 13 Jan 2017 04:13:39 +0000https://garagedoorepair.ca/?p=521Detecting And Fixing Garage Door Opener Issues I think that most of you would save money if you would take care of some minor garage door opener problems yourself. I managed to think of several problems that appear the most in Metro Vancouver BC households, or should I say garages. We all know that mere […]

I think that most of you would save money if you would take care of some minor garage door opener problems yourself. I managed to think of several problems that appear the most in Metro Vancouver BC households, or should I say garages.

We all know that mere pressing of a button or key in the remote does the job – opens and closes the doors. The design of such garage doors incorporates many electronic components, and the failure of any of these can lead to erratic operation of the door. Some of the minor problems can be taken care of without seeking any help from a professional given that you know what the different components of the system are and how they work.

The garage door system comprises of optic sensors, transmitters, remote control, tracks, wiring, rollers, motor, chains, door, and switch, etc. The operation of a garage door is rather simple. The door opens when the motor rotates in the clockwise directions. Then, the limit switches make the motor rotate in an anti-clockwise direction, which causes the door to close. These limit switches are very precisely programmed to open and close the door. The rotating motion is converted to mechanical motion by the chains, which causes the opening of the door. Usually, the cause of malfunctioning of the door is due to any of these components. The usual problems that you may come across are:

Non-Responsive Garage Door Opener Remote

If the door can be opened using the internal button but wouldn’t open with the remote, the problem is certainly with the remote. You may replace the batteries and see if it works. It fails to work; you should check its program, using instructions provided by the manufacturer and reprogram it. If it still refuses to work, you need to buy a remote as in all probability the remote itself is defective.

You Can’t Open The Garage Door

Leave aside the remote; the garage door refuses to open even with the internal button. In this case, you need to ensure that the motor is running. There might be some debris on the tracks blocking the movement of the door. If you find everything to be in place and yet the door wouldn’t work, it is time for you to ask for some Garage door professional help. It indicates some problem with the opener which could need some repairs.

Garage Door Makes Unusual Noises

The most common reason for this kind of malfunctioning is inadequate lubrication of the tracks. Otherwise, it could be due debris that gets collected in the tracks. So, the correction is very easy. Just clean the tracks of debris and lubricate the same properly.

Opening And Closing On Its Own

If the garage door begins to open or close on its own, most likely there is a short circuit in the wiring or transmitters. First, check the transmitter for any short circuit. A short circuit in the transmitter prompts it to send signal continuously. So, the door appears to be closing entirely, but no sooner the arms run and the carriage surpass the downward limit to hit the header, the action is reversed and the door starts to open. Remove the batteries from the transmitters and try again. If the problem persists, it indicates a short circuit in the wiring and needs replacement.

The present generation of the garage door opening systems is technically advanced and uses monitors that display the likely cause of the problem and also its troubleshooting tip. That’s indeed of great help to users of such doors as it saves them the time and trouble of detecting the problem.

You can expect such systems to offer trouble free performance if you just take care to perform routine maintenance as suggested by the manufacturer.

That’s indeed of great help to users of such doors as it saves them the time and trouble of detecting the problem. You can expect such systems to offer trouble free performance if you just take care to perform routine maintenance as suggested by the manufacturer.

Basic Garage Door Questions

Q: How do I know what size garage door I need?

A: Most homes have typical sizes for their garage doors. A standard single car garage door would measure 9′x8′, and a standard double car garage door would measure 16′x8′. When you’re getting a new garage door installed the technician will take expert measurements to make sure you’re getting the right size. To get an idea for yourself, measure the finished opening width and then the height.

Q: Do garage doors require maintenance?

A: It’s usually a good idea to provide regular maintenance for your garage door and garage door opener. Salty breezes from the ocean, sunlight, heavier-than-normal use and extreme temperatures can cause your garage door parts to wear quickly, and regular check-ups and lubrication can prevent expensive repairs down the road. You can even extend the life of your garage door with routine maintenance.

Q: Is it possible to only replace sections of my overhead garage door?

A: Yes, it is possible. If your garage door has been hit by a car or other object and only one or two sections of your garage door are damaged, you can contact the manufacturer to see if those parts are available. However, many garage doors are sold as a single unit, making it difficult to find individual sections, and some older garage doors might not be manufactured anymore. Additionally, the cost of replacing one or two sections of a garage door might not be much less than replacing the whole thing with all new parts.

Q: What’s the difference between torsion springs and extension springs and how can I tell which ones I have on my garage door?

A: Torsion springs and extension springs both help to open and close your garage door, but torsion springs work when pushed and extension springs work when pulled. Most modern overhead garage doors use torsion springs, so the chances are that’s what you have. A certified technician will be able to tell which type you have and perform a replacement.

A: Yes, there is a red release cord on every modern garage door opener that you can pull to disengage it from the motor and put the system on manual. This is useful if there is a problem with your garage door opener or the power is out. Take caution when doing this with a garage door in the open position as it could potentially slam down.

Q: There was a loud noise in the garage, and now the garage door won’t open. What’s the problem?

A: This is probably a broken garage door spring. Garage door springs make a loud noise when they snap, and it’s impossible to open your garage door with a broken spring. This will require a service call.

Q: Can I replace only the broken spring or do I have to replace both springs?

A: It’s always recommended that you replace both springs even if only one is broken. Garage door springs work equally, which means they wear down equally. Putting a new spring in with an old one will cause an uneven balance and could pull your garage door off its tracks or cause expensive damage. Some warranties are only valid if both springs are replaced at once.

Q: The light on the garage door opener turns on, but the door doesn’t open. What’s the problem?

A: There must be a problem in the mechanics of the garage door opener (the light indicates it’s getting electricity and should be working). If you have an old garage door opener, you might consider replacing it. Either way, this is something that must be attended to by a certified technician.

Q: The garage door won’t close all the way, or will close and then open again. What’s the problem?

A: This is the result of one or both of your safety sensors thinking there is further to go before the garage door is closed and usually needs a close limit switch adjustment. You should also check to make sure there aren’t any objects in the path of the garage door that could be tripping the sensor.

Garage Door Safety
Q: Can I do garage door repairs by myself if I have the right tools?

A: It’s never recommended that you attempt to perform a garage door repair by yourself unless you have the right training or are assisted by a professional. Garage door parts can be very dangerous and cause significant damage or injury, so play it safe and call a professional. You could also be voiding a warranty by performing your repairs.

Q: Can thieves get into my house by using my garage door opener codes?

A:Garage door openers communicate with remotes using codes, and some old garage door openers use a single code which can be duplicated by thieves. Newer garage door openers use rolling codes to make duplication impossible, keeping you safe. If you have concerns about your particular opener, contact the manufacturer to ask if it has this safety feature. If it doesn’t, you might consider upgrading to a newer model.

Q: Should I be worried about my garage door opener if it was manufactured before 1993?

A: Yes. Garage door openers manufactured or installed before 1993 do not have required standard safety features that are highly valuable in preventing accidental injuries and deaths in children and pets as well as preventing property damage. Current safety features, including automatic reversal and photo-electric sensors, are now mandated by law and a professional garage door repair company should refuse to perform repairs on an opener that old because it is so unsafe. If you have a garage door opener from 1993 or earlier, replace it as soon as possible.

Q: What safety features do garage door openers have to keep kids safe?

A:Modern garage door openers come with a variety of safety features designed to keep kids and pets safe, including automatic reversal, photoelectric sensors, and pressure-sensitive sensors. Should any of these sensors be tripped, your garage door will automatically reverse and not close until it detects that it’s safe.